Sample Grand Cherokee WJ VIN number
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate is attached to the top left side of the instrument panel. The VIN contains 17 characters that provide data concerning the vehicle. Refer to the decoding chart below to determine the identification of a vehicle.
To protect the consumer from theft and possible fraud the manufacturer is required to include a Check Digit at the ninth position of the Vehicle Identification Number. The check digit is used by the manufacturer and government agencies to verify the authenticity of the vehicle and official documentation. The formula to use the check digit is not released to the general public.
| VIN # | 1 | J | 8 | G | W | 6 | 8 | J | 9 | 4 | C | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 5 |
| Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Interpretation | C O U N T R YO RM F R |
M A K E |
V E H I C L ET Y P E |
G V W R |
V E H I C L EL I N E |
S E R I E S |
B O D YS T Y L E |
E N G I N E |
C H E C KD I G I T |
M O D E LY E A R |
A S S E M B L YP L A N T |
6-digit vehicle serial number |
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1999-2004 Grand CherokeeVehicle Identification Number decoding chart |
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| Position | Interpretation | Code = Description | |
| 1 | Country of origin | Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler Corporation | |
| 2 | Make | J = Jeep | |
| 3 | Vehicle type | 4 = MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) 8 = MPV With Side Air Bags |
|
| 4 | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | G = 5001-6000 lbs. | |
| 5 | Vehicle Line (North America)
Vehicle Line (Export) |
2 = Grand Cherokee 2WD (1999-2000) X = Grand Cherokee 2WD (2001-2004) W = Grand Cherokee 4WD (1999-2004)W= Grand Cherokee (LHD, 1999-2002) 2 = Grand Cherokee (LHD, 2003-2004) 8 = Grand Cherokee (RHD, 1999-2004) |
|
| 6 | Series | 1999 5 = Laredo 6 = Limited2000-2004 3 = Sport 4= Laredo 5 = Limited 6 = Overland
WG Family (With Euro Group) |
|
| 7 | Body Style | 8 = 4dr Sport Utility | |
| 8 | Engine | 4 = 3.1 Liter Turbo Diesel (export, 1999-2001) A = 2.7 Liter Turbo Diesel (export, 2002-2004) S = 4.0 Liter N = 4.7 Liter J = 4.7 Liter High Output |
|
| 9 | Check Digit | 0 thru 9 or X | |
| 10 | Model Year | X = 1999 Y = 2000 1 = 2001 2 = 2002 3 = 2003 4 = 2004 |
|
| 11 | Assembly Plant | C = Jefferson North Assembly Plant (Michigan, USA) Y = Steyr (Graz, Austria) |
|
| 12 – 17 | Vehicle Serial Number | 000000 (6 digits) | |
Vehicle build stages
After the design is complete, there are three main builds in the process called S0, S1 and S2. As the first attempt, the SO is used to identify potential issues. This is where the Error Mistake Proofing (EMP) process kicks in.
S0 VEHICLES: S0 VEHICLES: Prototype vehicles built to provide verification that the production design and the intended production process for components, systems and vehicles meet objectives. “Production” means that the product and process design release is complete for the Product and Process Design Complete (PPDC) milestone. These components may be built using hard or soft tools, as determined to be appropriate based on part or process knowledge required. Design verification testing should be successfully completed before parts are submitted for S0 Build. PPSR’s are required for all non-PPAP approved parts.
S1 VEHICLES: S1 VEHICLES: are vehicles built to confirm production design intent, validate parts, and prove out vehicle and assembly processes (at the assembly plants when feasible). All parts used are required to have full PSO and PPAP Approval. S1 vehicles provide early detection, identification and resolution of production process issues prior to S2 vehicle build. Production Control Systems are used to order, track and supply parts. Production intent containers/racks should be tested using S1 level parts. Grained and new color mastered materials are required and should be accompanied by a part inspection report for each Supplier shipment.
S2 VEHICLES: sellable vehicles built by manufacturing at the assembly plants to verify Corporate and Supplier production tooling, equipment and processes, and to confirm successful resolution of any CN’s written to correct problems found in the S0/S1 Build or testing. All parts, including powertrains, supplied by the Production Suppliers must be manufactured using production tools (on their home lines) and processes.
For the 1999 Grand Cherokee there were 32 employees assigned to the Pilot team. The team works on the prototype builds of the vehicle, evaluates the assembly process and suggests how the parts could be improved. They also stay with the vehicle all the way from the first “SO” build through the launch. Some members of the team will continue to work on training and making improvements throughout the rest of the model year.
Once the vehicle is set for launch there is a ramp-up process that occurs. All of the components are brought to the line in time to build the vehicles as they start to come down the assembly line. Production starts out slowly and is accelerated in the days or weeks following.
Vehicle Product Creation Process timeline
Body Code Plate
A metal Body Code plate is located in the engine compartment and attached to the top of the right frame rail. The information listed on the plate is used for manufacturing and service purposes. Information on the plate includes whether the vehicle is Domestic or export, the Primary and Secondary paint codes, frame sequence number and internal manufacturing codes.
Grand Cherokee paint codes for all model years can be found on our Exterior colors page and on our Interior colors page.
Vehicle Certification Label
A vehicle safety certification label is attached to every DaimlerChrysler Corporation vehicle. The label certifies that the vehicle conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The label is located on the driver-side door shutface.
On the example above, “Date of MFR” is listed as “1-96” which is “January 1996”. At the bottom left of the plate the Month, Day and Hour of manufacturer is listed as “MDH 010615”, this means that the vehicle was built January (“01”), 6th (“06”) at 3:00PM (“15”).
The label also lists:
- Month and year of vehicle manufacture.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The gross front and rear axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) are based on a minimum rim size and maximum cold tire inflation pressure.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Type of vehicle
- Type of rear wheels
- Bar code
- Month, Day and Hour (MDH) of final assembly
- Paint and Trim codes
- Country of origin
Vehicle build sheets
Vehicle build sheets are forms that list all of the colors, features and options of a particular vehicle along with the corresponding sales codes. The top of the form lists the Vehicle Identification Number, model year, model family, build date and trim color. Every single feature and option is noted, if a particular item is not listed then it did not come equipped that way from the factory. Dealer add-on accessories are not included on build sheets.
Build sheets can be obtained from your local dealer by presenting your VIN number and requesting a printout, or also online in the Customer Service section of Jeeps.com. Build sheets can be very handy when trying to determine color or option codes for ordering replacement parts and accessories. In addition, when shopping for a used vehicle, build sheets can provide a complete list of the vehicle options. They will also list if a vehicle was originally sold to a rental company.
Vehicle Build Sheet – example data |
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| VIN | 1J8GW58N54C181205 | ||||
| Model Year | 2004 | ||||
| Family | WJ | ||||
| Engine | EVA – 4.7L Power Tech V8 Engine | ||||
| Market | USA | ||||
| Body Model | JP74 – JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED 4X4 4WD 105.9 | ||||
| Build Date | 2003-05-18 | ||||
| Trim | *XL – Seats – Leather Low-Back Bucket | ||||
| Trim Color | -T5 – Sandstone | ||||
| Sales Codes (partial list) | |||||
| *XL Seats | Leather Low-Back Bucket | ||||
| -T5 | Sandstone | ||||
| 191 | Zone 91-Drop Ship | ||||
| 1AC | U.S. Zone Inventory | ||||
| 28K | Customer Preferred Package 28K | ||||
| 2TK | Customer Preferred Package 2TK | ||||
| 32F | Limited Equipment Discount | ||||
| 3C3 | V-8 Bonus Discount | ||||
| 4BD | Vehicle Order Tracking | ||||
| 4BD | Vehicle Order Tracking | ||||
| 5I1 | WJ-Vehicle Family | ||||
| 5I4 | Four Wheel Drive (4WD) | ||||
| A82 | 4.7L Eng (EVA)/5Spd A/T 5-45Rfe(DGQ) | ||||
| ADE | Cold Weather Group | ||||
| AFF | Luxury Group | ||||
| AHX | Trailer Tow Group IV | ||||
| APA | Monotone Paint | ||||
| ATC | Radio-CD/Cass/10 Disc/Infinity Spkrs | ||||
| AWB | Quadra-Drive 4WD System | ||||
| BAZ | Alternator – 136 Amp | ||||
| BC6 | Battery – 625 Amp Maintenance Free | ||||
| BRY | Brakes – Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc | ||||
| CAC | Seats – Low Back Bucket | ||||
| CBW | Door Trim Panel – Highland Vinyl | ||||
| DJJ | Axle – Front, Dana 30/186MM | ||||
| EVA | 4.7L Power Tech V8 Engine | ||||
| HAF | Air Cond ATC w/Dual Zone Control | ||||
| JJJ | 12V Rear Auxiliary Power Outlet | ||||
| JTF | Seats – Power, 10-Way Heated, Memory | ||||
| MWE | Side Rails – Roof | ||||
Vehicle Order Number (VON) and vehicle tracking
Once a special order is placed for a vehicle, a document is generated that details the vehicle and exact options that you want. A VON (Vehicle Order Number) is assigned that will allow tracking of your vehicle until it gets assigned a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
To obtain the current order status of your vehicle:
1. Call 1-800-992-1997
2. The input sequence is 1, 2, 5, 2, 3… and then your phone number, then 1. This brings you to an operator who can give you details on the status of your order. A complete list of Order Status Codes is shown in the table below.
Chrysler Order Status Codes |
| UnscheduledBA – new order that hasn’t been checked/approved BB – fleet order only – review by Bid Department BD – special equipment processing BE – edit error – coding error which must be corrected before the order can be considered for scheduling BG – order has passed edit but cannot be considered for scheduling BG F – finance hold – automatic cancellation after 15 days BG B – model or option hold / build out hold BG L – material restriction hold BG M – material hold (fleet) BX – good order, available for scheduling ZA – cancelled orderScheduledC – tentative schedule D – firm schedule: serial number is assigned. D1 – gateline: plant has sequenced the unit for production, estimated ship date assigned D2 – gateline: framing and build imminent, usually within 3-6 daysNote: Once a vehicle reaches scheduled (C or D) status, it cannot be cancelled by the dealer. Orders can sit in D-status for up to 60 days.BuildE – framing F – paint G – trimBuiltI – unit is pending final inspection J – vehicle has passed final inspection, but has not been released to carrier JB – shipped to body vendor JE – shipped to emissions JJ – consigned body vendor JS – shipped to storage KZ – released by plant and invoiced Note: Vehicles must reach KZ-status before an invoice can be generated. Traffic Codes KZ L – released but not shipped ZA – cancelled order |
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